Lube pump telescoping enclosure

ABSTRACT

Enclosure ( 16 ) for housing a coupler ( 18 ) between a driving rod ( 20 ) and a driven rod ( 22 ) comprises a first and a second preferably cylindrical pieces ( 30, 28 ). Said pieces are sized so that the first piece ( 30 ) is able to slide telescopically within the second piece ( 28 ) and are threaded to engage each other when in operation the enclosure ( 16 ) is in a close position, thereby the enclosure ( 16 ) being able to retain lubricant in the inside. For service, after having drained the lubricant from the enclosure ( 16 ), the two pieces are loosened by screwing the first piece ( 30 ) until the end of the thread is reached, and then the first piece ( 30 ) is slideably telescoped into the second piece ( 28 ), thereby setting the enclosure ( 16 ) in an open position an enabling easy access to the rod coupler ( 18 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/262,669, filed Nov. 19, 2009, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND ART

The instant invention is designed for used with plural component dispensing systems. Previous designs used a single ISO lube housing piece with a small access hole to get at the coupler piece. This hole was plugged during operation and needed to be removed with a tool before servicing. A tool was needed to remove the coupler pin through the access hole.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An enclosure will be used to pump throat seal liquid (TSL) on a hydraulic pumpline. The housing will telescope to allow for easier and faster access to the pump coupler without the use of tools. The ISO Lube pump is required on any pump containing moisture sensitive chemicals, such as isocyanates, in order to isolate the chemical from moisture.

While in operation the ISO lube housing will be completely filled with ISO lube. The coupler piece, which connects the hydraulic piston rod to the chemical rod, needs to be removed in order to service the chemical or hydraulic pump. Fluid must first be drained from the enclosure, and then the locking nut can be removed by backing it away from the large housing piece. Then the two housing pieces can be loosened by hand. When the end of the thread is reached, the small housing collapses into the large housing, allowing easy access to the rod coupler. See FIG. 2 for a view of the collapsed enclosure.

The 3 piece design utilizes knurled surfaces to eliminate the need for tools. It is also telescoping so the coupler piece can easily be serviced without the need for a small access hole or any tools.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following description made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a cross-section of the pump coupler with the enclosure of the instant invention positioned for operation.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of the pump coupler with the enclosure of the instant invention positioned for maintenance.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An enclosure 10 will be used to pump throat seal liquid (TSL) 12 on a hydraulic pumpline 14. While in operation the ISO (isocyanates) lube housing 16 will be completely filled with ISO lube 12. The coupler piece 18, which connects the hydraulic piston rod 20 to the chemical rod 22, needs to be removed in order to service the chemical or hydraulic pump 24. Fluid 12 must first be drained from the enclosure 16, and then the two housing pieces 28 and 30 can be loosened by hand by screwing the small housing piece 30 into the large housing piece 28. When the end of the thread is reached, the small housing 30 collapses into the large housing 28, allowing easy access to the rod coupler 18. See FIG. 2 for a view of the collapsed enclosure. For reinstallation, the housing pieces 28 and 30 are extended until the threads 32 engage and the enclosure 10 lengthened until it is sandwiched between hydraulic driver 36 and pump 24. O-ring seals 38 are used to seal enclosure 10 at either end and retain the TSL 12.

The 3 piece design utilizes knurled surfaces 34 to eliminate the need for tools. It is also telescoping so the coupler piece 18 can easily be serviced without the need for a small access hole or any tools.

It is contemplated that various changes and modifications may be made to the enclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. 

1. An enclosure for retaining pump lubricant on a pump assembly having a driver with a piston rod and a pump with a chemical rod, said rods being joined by a removable coupling, the improvement comprising first and second generally cylindrical housing pieces, said pieces sized so that said first piece will telescopically slide in said second piece and being threaded so as to releasably engage each other so as being selectively engageable in first and second positions whereby in said first position, said first piece is slideably telescoped in said second piece and in said second position, said first and second pieces arc sealingly engaged with said driver and said pump.
 2. The enclosure of claim I wherein said pieces comprise exterior surfaces, said exterior surfaces comprising knurling to enable manual manipulation between said first and second positions. 